LIB BLOG

When summer arrives, I’m sure I’m not the only one that inwardly screams with terror at the thought of my not-so-ready bikini bod being flaunted at the beach. Not to worry, I have some useful tips…

Beauty wise, regularly exfoliating with help to keep your skin feeling firm and smooth! Exfoliate 1-2 times a week, as any more can’t actually start to damage skin. My personal pick is the Balance Me’s Super Toning Body Polish.This spa-inspired blend of naturally active oils will give you glowing confidence this summer! So how does it work? Well…it gives your body a cellulite-busting, toning workout just by massaging it onto your skin, as well as improved circulation, skin tone and smoothness. Ground walnut shells take care of the exfoliating naturally, whilst star ingredient blackberry leaf extract has collagen and elastin boosting properties, putting your skin to work! Over time, you will start to notice your skin is more supple. If only all exercise was that easy!

Whilst the body polish will help to refine your skin and tone, there is no quick fix to a toned body! In terms of physical exercise, the Daily Workouts App (which is free) is what I like to call my everyday personal trainer. It’s broken down into cardio, leg, arm, butt and ab, so you can concentrate on which area of your body needs the most toning up. You can even go for the ‘full’ option if you’re feeling superduper sporty!

One of the best exercises from the app, which targets your bum, legs and lower back, is a simple squat. I know, no one likes squats! But spend 5 minutes a day doing this, and you’ll be surprised how quickly your thighs and bum start to tone up. All you have to do is:

It might be to obvious to beauty experts, but many of us still fail to stick to a 3 step skincare regime; cleanse, tone/exfoliate and moisturise. Whilst there are plenty of quick fixes out there, taking the time to follow a routine everyday is the only sure fire way to improve your skin. True you might need a targeted treatment to hand, but without getting the basics right first, you won’t be getting the most from your skincare. Because of this, Clinique have designed a 3 step skincare regime which can be tailored to all types of skin. Each step works in harmony with the next, helping you achieve balanced, happy skin.

Why cleanse? Even if you don’t wear makeup, cleansing is still a hugely important part of any skincare routine. The majority of people – especially us city dwellers – expose our skin to pollution on a daily basis, and unless it is cleansed away this can have long-term, damaging effects. And no, we’re no just talking about blemishes! Free radicals that are not taken care of will eventually lead to premature ageing, as well as leaving skin looking dull. The Clinique Liquid Facial Soap is not just simple solution, but an effective one too. Post-makeup removal, all it takes is 1-2 pumps to provide a purifying cleanse without stripping the skin of all of it’s natural oils. The last thing you want from your cleanser is for it to dry your skin out, so this is perfect.

Why tone? A lot of people mistake toner as an extra cleanser. Whilst it is true that it will help remove of any extra grime left over from cleansing, it does so much more than that. Toning lotions restore the pH of skin after cleansing so skin is left balanced. On top of this, Clinique’s Clarifying Lotions provide gentle daily exfoliation without the harshness of a scrub. This works by loosening the top layer of dead skin cells to reveal soft, smooth skin. As a result, any product you apply following it will absorb much more efficiently, allowing active ingredients to work their magic. As with the cleanser, Clinique have tailored this staple product to several different skin types, so whether your skin needs extra balacing or a moisture boost, they have you covered!

Why moisturise? Do we even need to answer this question? Whilst this is no brainer for those with drier skin, women who suffer with oily skin might not realise that foregoing moisturiser will actually make matters worse. No matter your skin type, it needs hydration to work at its optimum level. The Dramatically Different Moisturisers can be used twice daily for best results, improving skin moisture levels, texture and suppleness over time. Immediate results are also great because skin feels hydrated and protected throughout the day. You can’t complain about that! The gel version is oil-free, ideal for anyone who suffers from acne, whilst the lotion is for anyone who needs a richer more nourishing fix.

We’re calling this one, the nude lip is going to be hot for autumn! Much like a bright red, the perfect nude is something every girl needs in her makeup bag, but it’s not always that easy to get right. The biggest problem I’ve always had with nude lipsticks is their tendency to cling to even the smallest amount of dry skin on my lips, and with colder weather around the corner this becomes even more of a problem. Wind, frost and central heating are most definitely not a girl’s best friend. The good news? I’ve devised a simple and easy routine to keep your lips in tip top shape and ready for the nude lip trend about to ensue.

HOW TO PREP FOR A NUDE LIP

Step one:

Exfoliate those kissers! The key here is don’t overdo it, you want to look sultry not sore. Mix up caster sugar with olive oil to create a grainy paste that will tend to flaky lips whilst keeping them nourished. If that’s too much faff for you, a simple scrub with a toothbrush will suffice, but be gentle. The skin on your lips is thin and delicate, so scrubbing too hard will only damage them and lead to more flakiness in the long run.

Step two:

After a good descaling it’s time to rehydrate. If you opted for the olive oil scrub, your lips should already be feeling super soft, but a little extra moisture never hurt anyone. Whilst most people will use a lip balm at this stage, I prefer to use moisturiser. Lip balms are great for protecting your lips and adding extra shine, but as a base for lipstick it’s a different story. It’s more difficult to get even coverage as your lipgloss slides over the balm rather than your lips. Moisturiser on the other hand, sinks in to the skin whilst still sorting out any dryness.

Step three:

Everyone’s bare lips are naturally different colours, so the same lipstick would look different on all of us. If you have particularly dark or red lips, prep with a nude liner first. Low on nude liner? Pat concealer around the edge of your lips to soften the outline. Be careful not to go too far into the center of the lip as you’ll end up with the dreaded white line once your lipstick starts to wear. Wallah, you now have a blank canvas!

Step four:

Break out the nude lipstick! It’s best to go for one that isn’t overly heavy and matte, which is why we love the Maybelline Nude Color Sensational Lipstick. The formula is rich, creamy, and highly pigmented to give just enough coverage for the perfect nude without going the full hog into foundation lips. With 5 shades to choose from, you can find the perfect fit to your skin tone, or mix and match between them.

Now it’s time to put the plan into practice! Grab your Maybelline Nude Color Sensational Lipstick in the Glamour Beauty Power List Box alongside all of our other hero products this season. For more Maybelline beauty goodness head to www.maybelline.co.uk

As a makeup artist, I value how good skin care can affect your makeup, as well as the effect it can have on your face throughout the day. I take all these things into consideration when prepping a model for a shoot, a bride for her wedding or a client for an event. When I’m in a rush but need to brighten, tighten or exfoliate, the best way to achieve results is by using a facemask. I have trialed a few of my fave masks so that I can share my opinion with you, and give you a quick guide on what to use for specific skin concerns.

Some people are very strict about using products that are natural, and now you can buy one of my favorite natural skincare brands Jurlique online. It originates from a bio-dynamic farm in South Australia and uses the power of nature to create beautifully scented, extremely effective products. As they have a few different ranges you can choose the natural facemask you need for your skin, from age-defying to hydrating.

Two Jurlique masks I recommend for almost any skin type are the Rose Moisture Plus mask and the Fruit Enzyme Exfoliator. The Rose Moisture mask is so calming and hydrating, you can feel the benefits as soon as you start to layer it on your skin. It is fantastic for relaxing you as the potent rose scent makes you want to lie down and soak it up as if you are at a spa! The drier your skin is the more it will absorb leaving less to clean off, which I prefer to wiping off. So at the end of your relaxing 10 minutes you can press the remnants of the mask into your skin. It leaves skin feeling so supple and soft its indescribable! This is perfect for summer, as the sun and cider tend to dry out your skin.

The Fruit Enzyme mask on the other hand, is a fantastic natural alternative to any AHA exfoliating mask. It combines natural fruit enzymes and Australian extracts to enhance cell turnover and smooth your skin. The smell isn’t as relaxing as the rose mask, but if it works I don’t mind! Its fantastic on set, I use it on models that have been overworked as it brightens dull skin and only needs 5 minutes. It also leaves no residue. Again this is fantastic for summer if you want a gentle exfoliator that will also hydrate your tan.

Moving on to the one and only Japanese brand Suqqu which is exclusive to Selfridges and is at a higher price bracket than Jurlique, but one of the few brands that does makeup and skincare very well. Not many people know it yet but their Refined Flow Stretch Mask which is inspired by the Suqqu signature Gankin Massage technique, aims to tighten and firm while enhancing your facial contour. It is extremely impressive as it uses AHA-C complex (like the exfoliating mask by Jurlique), yeast and Honeysuckle extracts! Having used it a few times I can tell you it has tightened my skin and leaves my complexion glowing! I absolutely love it. I recommend you try it before bed because you can leave the serum on your face overnight to absorb deeper into your skin, as it can feel sticky and I wouldn’t recommend it before going out unless you have a lot of time. Even then you don’t want to wash away the benefits.

Last but not least on the highly recommended list comes the raved about Glamglow Supermud Clearing Treatment. I found this mask, extremely different to most mud masks I’ve tried. To start with it smells like peppermint instead of dirt, which is super appealing! It is also formulated to be easy to put on where some mud masks can be extremely thick and hard to spread, kinda like… well… Mud! It also has a lot of hydrating properties, so as it lifts dirt out it moisturises too. Usually with mud masks, I find I have to basically apply face oil WHILE removing the mud mask otherwise my face is at risk of falling off. Not with this baby; Glamglow have got the right balance between cleansing and hydrating. It left my skin feeling super soft and lifted the dirt out of my pores so with a little squeeze from me they were pure after. This is is perfect for the T-zone area.

Now having spanned the globe, from America to Australia to Asia, I hope you find a mask that will save your face!

We often wax lyrical about the amazement of Sarah Jessica Parker’s outfits, but what about her skin? At the age of 46, her skin – and healthy glow – certainly don’t look it. We’ve discovered that she’s a big time fan of Cor’sThe Silver Soap, a new generation of cleanser that multi-tasks like there’s no tomorrow. Combining the latest in nano-silver technology with marine collagen and other natural ingredients, the soap like bar cleanses, tones, exfoliates, reduces wrinkles, soothes eczema and is ideal for acne sufferers too. The only thing it doesn’t do is the washing up…

And now you can try this cult product for just £10! Head over to Latest in Beauty and try it out for yourself…